Blank for a tubular carton

Abstract

An elongate blank for forming a tubular carton includes panels arranged in a row along the length of the blank. The panels are hingedly connected one to another in series. Each panel has a pair of opposed free end edges disposed generally along the length of the blank. Each panel is formed along either free end edge thereof with a cutout so that the blank is provided along either longitudinal edge thereof with a plurality of tabs each interposed between adjacent cutouts. The cutouts are dimensioned and configured such that the tabs have an identical size and configuration and are complementary to at least some of the cutouts.

1. An elongate blank for forming a tubular carton, said blank comprising a plurality of panels arranged in a row along a length of the blank, said panels being hingedly connected one to another in series, each of said panels having a pair of opposed free end edges disposed generally along the length of the blank, said each panel being formed along either free end edge thereof with a cutout so that said blank is provided along either longitudinal edge thereof with a plurality of tabs each interposed between adjacent ones of said cutouts, said cutouts being dimensioned and configured such that said tabs have an identical size and configuration and are complementary to at least some of said cutouts, at least one of said tabs comprising an end retention structure for preventing contents of the carton from dislodging from the carton when said blank is erected into the carton, wherein said at least one tab is disposed astride a panel fold line along which two adjacent ones of said panels are hingedly connected, wherein said at least one tab comprises an anchoring portion hingedly connected to one of said two adjacent panels to be folded into face contacting relationship with said one adjacent panel, a gusset portion hingedly connected to said anchoring portion, and a web portion hingedly connected to said gusset portion, said web portion being connected to the other of said two adjacent panels to be in a folded position for engagement with a content of the carton. 
   
   
     2. The carton according to  claim 1  wherein said cutouts include end cutouts formed in two end ones of said panels located at the opposite ends of said blank respectively and intermediate cutouts formed in the others of said panels, said intermediate cutouts comprising said at least some cutouts and having an identical size and configuration. 
   
   
     3. The carton according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one tab further comprises a covering portion hingedly connected to said web portion, said covering portion being integrally formed with said other adjacent panel. 
   
   
     4. The carton according to  claim 1  wherein said gusset portion and said web portion are connected along a web fold line, and said panel fold line is aligned with said web fold line. 
   
   
     5. The carton according to  claim 1  wherein each of at least some of said tabs other than said at least one tab is disposed astride a further panel fold line along which two neighboring ones of said panels are hingedly connected, wherein a content-receiving aperture is formed in one of said two neighboring panels adjacent to said further panel fold line, and said content-receiving aperture is disposed adjacent to said each of said at least some tabs. 
   
   
     6. The carton according to  claim 5  wherein said content-receiving aperture is formed at least in part in said each of said at least some tabs. 
   
   
     7. The carton according to  claim 5  wherein the content-receiving aperture extends into the other of the two neighboring panels so as to interrupt said further panel fold line.